Table With Rotatable Writing Surface

ABSTRACT

A table is disclosed, which has a rotatable writing device and a non-rotatable table portion. The rotatable writing device has an upper surface for accepting writing. The table portion includes a plurality of lobes to provide convenient work space that does not interfere with rotation and use of the writing device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to tables and more particularly to a tablethat includes a rotatable writing device with a surface for receivingwriting.

2. Background of the Invention

When a number of individuals work together collaboratively it isfrequently helpful for them to work around a single table. When thesubject of the groups' work involves a writing to which two or moreindividuals contribute, it is useful to provide a single writing surfaceand to provide means to rotate the writing so that individuals atvarying positions around the table may easily view and contribute to thewriting.

It is known to make a table that includes a separately rotatableelement. Such tables, however, typically provide a rotatable elementthat is similar in composition to the surface of the non-rotatableportion of the table. The purpose of such tables usually is tofacilitate access to objects on the rotatable element from positionsanywhere around the perimeter of the table. Such tables do not provide arotatable surface on which writings can be made directly and easilyerased. Moreover, such tables generally are square or rectangular inshape and do not provide a convenient surface for users to storereferences or on which users can do individual work without interferingwith the rotatable portion of the table.

3. Objects and Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a table thatincludes a rotatable writing device with a surface for directlyreceiving readily erasable writing.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a writingsurface for directly receiving writings, which allows such writings tobe erased easily.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a table witha rotatable writing surface that also includes convenient work surfacesthat may be used without interfering with the rotatable portion of thetable.

These and other objectives are met by a table having a non-rotatabletable portion with an upper surface that extends in a first plane and awriting device rotatably interconnected to the table portion, having anupper surface adapted to receive writing and wherein the non-rotatabletable portion includes a plurality of lobes to provide working surfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is top plan view of a table according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2A is a sectional view of a table according to an embodiment of thepresent invention, taken along section line 2A/2B-2A/2B.

FIG. 2B is a sectional view of a table according to another embodimentof the present invention, taken along section line 2A/2B-2A/2B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numeralsrefer to like parts throughout, there is seen a table, designatedgenerally by reference numeral 10, comprising a conventional tableportion 12 having an upwardly facing surface 14, and a writing device 16rotatably mounted to table portion 12. Writing device 16 includes anupper surface 18 on which a user may write using an appropriate writinginstrument, such as a dry erase marker, chalk, and the like.Accordingly, upper surface 18 may be composed of any conventionalwriting substrate, such as a dry erase board, chalk board, and the like.

With reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, upper surface 14 of table portion 12and upper surface 18 of writing device 16 extend co-planar relative toone another and preferably parallel to the floor. In the preferredembodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A, table portion 12 includes an openregion 20 in which writing device 16 is positioned. A mounting bracket22 is attached to the underside 24 of table portion 12 and writingdevice 16 is mounted thereon with a bearing 26 that permits its rotationrelative to table portion 12.

Table portion 12 can be made of a variety of conventional tablematerials, including, for example, wood, metal, glass, plastic andcombinations thereof. Preferably, the upwardly facing surface 14 of thetable portion 12 is generally smooth. Those skilled in the art, however,will recognize that for certain applications it may be useful to have atextured surface and/or to provide a lip or other depressed or elevatedfeature, for example around the outer or inner perimeter of the tableportion 12. In certain applications, however, it may be useful to use asemispherical or frustoconical writing device 16, in which case thewriting device 16 would extend above the plane of the table portion 12.

In the preferred embodiment, the writing device 16 and the table portion12 are both in the same plane. Those skilled in the art, however, willrecognize that for certain applications it may be useful to provide awriting device 16 that is above or below the plane of the table portion12.

The writing device 16 may be made of a variety of materials includingwood, metal, glass, plastic or combinations thereof. To aid in rotationof the rotatable center portion, gripping features such as knobs,handholds or portions of high friction material can be added to thewriting device 16.

The writing device 16 preferably is rotatable through a full 360°relative to the table portion 12. Writing device 16 can be supported byany mechanism that will allow it to rotate with respect to the tableportion 12 and will maintain its horizontal position with respect to thetable portion 12. One example is the preferred embodiment depicted inFIG. 2A and described above.

In an alternate embodiment, depicted in FIG. 2B, writing device 16 has afrustoconical shape at its outer edge 28, which corresponds to the shapeof the inner edge 30 of table portion 12. According to this embodiment,writing device 16 is supported by bearing 18′ located around the inneredge 30 of the table portion 12. Alternatively, bearing 18′ could belocated around the outer edge 28 of writing device 16. Writing device 16can also be supported without the use of bearings, for example, byrollers fixedly attached to the underside of table portion 12 which arepositioned to support the underside of writing device 16 about itsperimeter.

Preferably, the outer edge 28 and inner edge 30 are closely matched toprevent materials from slipping through the gap between outer edge 28and inner edge 30. There must be sufficient distance between outer edge28 and inner edge 30 to permit r writing device 16 to rotate freely.Those skilled in the art will recognize that outer edge 28 and inneredge 30 can each be formed with corresponding contours. For example,outer edge 28 can be formed with a convex rim that corresponds with aconcave rim on inner edge 30. With reference once again to FIG. 1, tableportion 12 is preferably shaped with a plurality of lobes 40. It isintended that users of table 10 would stand or sit between adjacentlobes, thus having convenient access to writing device 16 whileutilizing the lobes 40 to set papers, books, computers, or othersupplies or equipment. While table 10 is illustrated as including roomfor four occupants, it is to be understood that table 10 could be formedto any desired geometry.

While there has been illustrated and described what are at presentconsidered to be preferred and alternate embodiments of the presentinvention, it should be understood and appreciated that modificationsmay be made by those skilled in the art, and that the appended claimsencompass all such modifications that fall within the full spirit andscope of the present invention.

1. A table comprising: a table portion having an upper surface thatextends in a first plane; and a writing device interconnected to saidtable portion for rotation relative thereto, and having an upper surfaceadapted to receive writing thereon.
 2. The table of 1 wherein saidwriting device's upper surface is selected from the group consisting ofdry-erase board and chalkboard.
 3. The table of 1 wherein said tableportion and said writing device are coplanar.
 4. The table of 1 whereinsaid table portion comprises a plurality of lobe-shaped extensions aboutits perimeter.
 5. The table of 1 wherein said table portion includes anopening for receiving said writing device.
 6. The table of 1 whereinsaid writing device rotates on a bearing.
 7. The table of 1 wherein saidwriting device's upper surface is inclined relative to said tableportion's upper surface.
 8. The table of 1 wherein said writing deviceis frustoconical in shape.
 9. A table comprising: a table portion havinga plurality of lobes evenly spaced about its perimeter, an uppersurface, and an opening centrally positioned relative to said uppersurface; and a writing device positioned within said opening androtatably interconnected to said table portion, said writing devicehaving an upper surface adapted to receive writing thereon.
 10. Thetable of 9 wherein said writing device rotates on a bearing.
 11. Thetable of 9 wherein said writing device's upper surface is selected fromthe group consisting of dry-erase board and chalkboard.
 12. A writingdevice for use with a table, said writing device comprising: an uppersurface adapted to receive writing thereon; and a bearing for rotatablysupporting said writing device on said table.
 13. The writing device of12 wherein said writing device's upper surface is selected from thegroup consisting of dry-erase board and chalkboard.
 14. The writingdevice of 12 wherein said writing device is frustoconical in shape.